Ibrahimovic's hat-trick fires PSG to top of Ligue 1

Paris, March 21: Thanks to a hat-trick by star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris Saint-Germain defeated FC Lorient 3-1 at the Parc des Princes stadium here to move temporarily to the top of Ligue 1. The defending champions opened scoring just four minutes into the game on Friday. The 33-year-old Ibrahimovic converted a spot-kick after being tackled down inside the box by goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte while trying to receive a high ball from David Silva, reports Xinhua.

Lorient, however, remained in the game and drew level midway through the second half courtesy of a fine Jordan Ayew strike.

Paris reclaimed the lead as Ibrahimovic scored another pelty after Lamine Kone fouled Javier Pastore in the area with just eight minutes remaining. IANS